Valid for new 2015 bookings only made by April 17, 2015. Must be paid in full at time of booking to lock in exchange rate savings. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

Tour Description

Witness firsthand the beauty of coastal Canada as you embark on a 10-day rail-drive adventure. Your journey begins in Canada's Cultural Capital, Montreal. With time at leisure, and the assistance of a guided sightseeing tour to more than 200 legendary destinations, you will fully experience this marvelous historic city. Special visits to the Notre Dame Basilica, Olympic Park, and Mount Royal are included. After your time discovering Montreal, you will then board VIA Rail's iconic Ocean to begin your rail adventure to your next destination, Moncton.

Moncton is a mixture of urban sophistication and coastal comfort. You will have time to explore the town at your own pace before embarking on an exciting lobster cruise where you will have the chance to catch, learn to cook and dine on some yummy lobster from the region. The following day you will take a drive to the iconic Bay of Fundy. The Park is home to a variety of unique rocks and dazzling waterfalls, make sure to also witness at the bay when twice a day water covers the base of rocks completely, due to the incredible tidal range.

Following your stay in Moncton, you will drive to the historic town of Saint John. Home to the country's oldest farmer's market and museum, the first day in Saint John is yours to explore the deep history of the city. After your time in Saint John, you will venture on to St. Andrews, a truly classic coastal town, home to classic sights like the St. Andrew Biological Station, the Huntsman Aquarium and a special trip to the home of Sir William Van Home, builder of the Canadian Pacific Railway. After your two day stay, you will drive back to Moncton where you will venture on your overnight trip to Montreal, where&nbsp;your coastal Canadian adventure comes to an end!

Day 2 - Montreal SightseeingThis morning embark on your Montreal sightseeing tour, which takes you to more than 200 points of interests throughout the city. Highlights include the beautiful Notre Dame Basilica, historic Old Montreal, Olympic Park, and Mount Royal, where you will have unrivaled views of the city and the St. Lawrence River. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Montreal's historic neighborhoods and beautiful homes; its Old Port, one of the largest redeveloped old ports in the world; and the Bonsecours Market where you will enjoy some shopping served up with a bit of Canadian history.

This evening, transfer to the train station for your evening departure aboard VIA Rail's Ocean for your overnight journey to Moncton. Settle into your first class accommodations and bid adieu to Montreal as the Ocean travels along the St. Lawrence River east to the Bay of Fundy. Make a point of visiting the Ocean's domed viewing car (seasonal) as the sun sets over the St. Lawrence River. Overnight train.

Day 3 - MonctonAfter breakfast this morning, enjoy the passing scenery from the domed viewing car and learn about the area from onboard Learning Coordinators (seasonal). The Ocean arrives in Moncton in the afternoon. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore this lovely city. Moncton offers a unique combination of urban sophistication and coastal serenity. Pick up your rental car and begin to discover the town and its distinct attractions. You may wish to visit Magnetic Hill Zoo or Magnetic Hill, where you can put your car in neutral and travel uphill! This evening visit the town of Shediac, the Lobster Capitol of the World, for a Shediac Bay lobster cruise. Your excursion includes catching the lobsters and learning cooking tips and tricks from the crew, and ends with a delicious lobster dinner on the water. Overnight Moncton.

Day 4 - Bay of FundyToday's driving adventure takes you to the Bay of Fundy. On your way to the Rocks and Fundy National Park, you may wish to stop at the Salem & Hillsborough Railroad Museum to see an extensive collection of railway artifacts including an operating 1912 steam engine. Continue along the jagged Atlantic coastline to the Bay of Fundy, a unique ecosystem known for its high tides—some of the largest in the world! There are 15 species of whales that visit the Bay. The area also draws 34 species of shorebirds.

During low tide, explore the ocean bottom or follow the Caribou Plain trail and boardwalk to the upland forest and bogs. Keep an eye and ear out for some of the Park's stunning waterfalls! Hike up the shore at Hopewell Cape for striking views of the Flowerpot Rocks, rock formations created by tidal erosion. Because of the Bay's amazing tidal range, the base of the Rocks are covered in water twice a day, dramatically changing the view of the Rocks and surrounding scenery with each tide level. Spend the day uncovering the natural history of the area, millions of years in the making, before enjoying the leisurely drive back to your hotel. Overnight Moncton.

Day 5 - Drive to Saint John, "The Loyalist City"Today scenic coastal drive takes you to Saint John, the largest city in New Brunswick. Not only is it Canada's oldest incorporated city, but it's home to the country's oldest museum and farmer's market. Spend the day getting acquainted with the city and its many attractions. In addition to a bustling downtown, Saint John is brimming with attractions. Unearth 350 million years of natural history at the New Brunswick Museum where you can see a life-size Right whale, learn about the area's lumber and shipbuilding heritage, and view historic artifacts. Walk through the Irving Nature Park, a scenic coastal path on the Bay of Fundy that provided the opportunity to see harbor seals and porpoises. Overnight Saint John.

Day 6 -Explore St.John Spend the day visiting the city's many historic sites including the Saint John City Market, which opened in 1876 and whose roof is shaped like an inverted hull; Carleton Martello Tower, dating back to the War of 1812 and now a national historic site with a restored barracks, exhibits in the tower, and amazing views of the city and its harbor; and, Loyalist House, constructed in 1811 and the oldest building in the city. Overnight Saint John.

Day 7 - Drive to St. AndrewsToday make the scenic drive to St. Andrews, the epitome of a classic coastal town. The city has numerous historic sites and interesting attractions including the Kingsbrae Horticultural Garden, where you can see more than 50,000 different plants, the St. Andrews Biological Station, the Huntsman Aquarium, and the Ross Memorial Museum. Overnight St. Andrews.

Day 8 - St. Andrews at Your LeisureThe day is yours to discover more of St. Andrews many attractions. You may wish to visit Minister's Island, a 5-minute ride from downtown St. Andrews and famous as the summer home of Sir William Van Horne, builder of the Canadian Pacific Railway; Sheriff Andrews House, a museum showcasing life in 1820's St. Andrews complete with costumed guides, authentic furniture, and open-hearth cooking demonstrations; and, St. Andrews Blockhouse, a coastal defense structure in the War of 1812. Overnight St. Andrews.

Day 9 - Return to Moncton / VIA Rail's Ocean to MontrealEmbark on a leisurely drive along the coast back to Moncton, where you'll return your rental car and make your way to the train station for your late afternoon train to Montreal. Situate yourself in your private accommodations and prepare for your overnight journey aboard the Ocean. As with your trip to Moncton days earlier, you will have access to the private domed viewing car, where you will be able to enjoy panoramic views of the passing scenery and discuss your journey with your fellow travelers. Overnight train.

Day 10 - Arrive in MontrealYour train arrives in Montreal just after 9:00 am this morning. You may wish to spend some time at a sidewalk café or shopping in some of the city's shops before transferring to the airport for your return flight home. Or, elect to extend your stay in Montreal for additional sightseeing.

Rail Your Way

Add more flexibility to your rail vacation by choosing when and where to begin and end your vacation. Whether you want to go east to west, west to east, north to south, south to north, start at the beginning, travel the reverse itinerary or begin in the middle, Rail Your Way allows you to tailor make your rail vacation so you can have the experience you want.

Look for the Rail Your Way icon to identify those vacations that offer customized rail connections or joining points. Ask your rail specialist how you can have Rail Your Way!

Train and Hotel Accommodations

AccommodationsHotels include the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, Delta Beausejour, Delta Brunswick, and the Rossmount Inn. VIA Rail accommodations are in Sleeper Plus class in a private cabin. Meals are included aboard the train along with exclusive access to lounges and observation cars (seasonal).

Hotel accommodations are based on availability; substitutes will be of similar quality and amenities.

Testimonials

The Shediac lobster excursion was excellent and we would recommend it to other travelers … Cape Enrage was a wonderful stop. They have a restaurant and beautiful scenery … Inn on the Cove was gracious, friendly, and first class cuisine … We appreciate Vacations By Rail and thank you as we would have never found such wonderful places without you!

*Sleeper Plus service offered 6/15/14-10/1014-6/11/15-10/15/15. Other tour dates confirmed in Sleeper class where no meals are included.3-night minimum stay in Montreal during the Gran Prix (June 4-7, 2015). Ask your rail specialist for details.Rates are in US Dollars, per person, double occupancy.If you are 60+, a discount will apply.

About Us

Vacations By Rail is the trusted authority on rail vacations. We offer the largest selection of independent rail vacations, escorted rail tours, luxury rail journeys and custom train vacations to destinations in North America, Europe and beyond, as well as a wide selection of European Rail Passes and European City to City train tickets.